| Intro | Zimbabwean footballer |
| Is |
Athlete Football player Association football player |
| From | Zimbabwe |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth |
6 January 1986, Harare |
| Age | 35 years |
Costa Nhamoinesu (born 6 January 1986) is a Zimbabwean football defender who currently plays in the Czech First League for Sparta Prague. Born in Harare, he was spotted whilst playing for Masvingo United in the Zimbabwean first league and sent to Poland, where he was eventually sold to Zagłębie Lubin. He played there for five seasons before joining Sparta Prague.
Early life
Costa was born in Harare and was raised both in the city by his parents, and in the countryside with his grandparents. His parents’ home did not have enough room for him to live there permanently, however, so he was forced to stay with friends and other relatives around the city. While at middle school he started playing football for a club which paid his education fees and accommodation. He attended Seke 1 High in Chitungwiza where he played in the school team alongside Heavens Chinyama and Maset among others.
Career
Club
While playing in the Zimbabwean first league for Masvingo United, Costa was spotted by an agent who sent him to Poland, where he began playing for 5th division amateur side KS Wisła Ustroniaka. In July 2008, he was loaned to Zagłębie Lubin, and was sold there in Summer 2010. While at Lubin, he became one of the most highly rated left-backs in the Polish league. However, he was also a common target of racism. In 2013, seeking an exit from Poland, he signed a deal with Czech side AC Sparta Prague. He had also received offers from Russia, Germany and Turkey.
International
He is a part of the Zimbabwe national football team. He has so far taken part in 9 games. On 20 October 2012, he was among those exonerated from a lifetime ban imposed on many Zimbabwean internationals for match fixing. Costa scored his first goal for Zimbabwe on 28 March 2016 against Swaziland in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 18 June 2016.
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sparta Prague | 2013–14 | Czech First League | 24 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2014–15 | Czech First League | 28 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Czech First League | 25 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 7 | ||
| Total | 77 | 6 | 12 | 1 | — | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 118 | 11 | |||
| Career total | 77 | 6 | 12 | 1 | — | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 118 | 11 | |||
International goals
- As of 18 June 2016. Scores and results list Zimbabwe’s goal tally first.
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 March 2016 | National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe | Swaziland | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
Honours
Club
- Masvingo United
- Zimbabwean Independence Trophy (2): 2006, 2007
- Sparta Prague
- Czech First League (1): 2013–14
- Czech Cup (1): 2013–14
- Czech Supercup (1): 2014
- ^